SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5428

BYSenators Warnke, Sellar and Garrett

Raising amount over which cities are required to call for competitive bids.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1987; February 19, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Eugene Green (786-7404); Walt Corneille (786-7452)

                  April 18, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Any purchase of supplies, material, equipment or services other than professional services by a city of the second or third class or a town where the cost exceeds $2,000 must be accomplished through competitive bidding.  However, a telephone solicitation procedure may be used for purchases between $2,000 and $4,000.  A $2,000 limit also exists on purchases for garbage collection and disposal.

The $2,000 bid limits have been in effect since at least 1965.

SUMMARY:

The bid limit of second or third class cities or towns for purchases of supplies, material, equipment or services other than professional services is raised from $2,000 to $7,500.  The telephone solicitation procedure may be used for purchases between $7,500 and $15,000.  The bid limit for purchases for garbage collection and disposal is made the same as for all other purchases.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Dick DuCharme, Utility Contractors of Washington; Peter King, Association of Washington Cities

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

As an alternative to publishing every ordinance at least once in a city's official newspaper, a city of the third class or a code city, with a population of less than three thousand, and towns may publish in its official newspaper a summary of the intent and content of any ordinance that it adopts.  Such city or town must indicate the times and location where a copy of the ordinance is available for public inspection.  (The subject matter of the Senate Bill was deleted.  It is contained in SHB 186, which has passed the Legislature.)